2012: Los Angeles celebrates

CaptionOscars: Preparations

Al Seib, Los Angeles Times

Gold-wrapped miniature chocolate Oscar statues are ready for the Governors Ball to follow the 83rd annual Academy Awards. The Oscars show was suffused with nostalgia, and "The Artist," a nearly wordless, black-and-white romance celebrating Hollywood's formative era, won five Academy Awards.

Gold-wrapped miniature chocolate Oscar statues are ready for the Governors Ball to follow the 83rd annual Academy Awards. The Oscars show was suffused with nostalgia, and "The Artist," a nearly wordless, black-and-white romance celebrating Hollywood's formative era, won five Academy Awards. (Al Seib, Los Angeles Times)

Octavia Spencer, clutching the evidence of her victory in the supporting actress category for "The Help," chats outside the Governors Ball, where Oscar winners could see their statuettes engraved.

Octavia Spencer, clutching the evidence of her victory in the supporting actress category for "The Help," chats outside the Governors Ball, where Oscar winners could see their statuettes engraved. (Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times)

After an Academy Awards ceremony that gave more than a nod to classic Hollywood, the Governors Ball at the Hollywood & Highland Center followed suit: James Earl Jones took the rotating center stage to introduce "Frank Sinatra's favorite singer," and sure enough, there was Tony Bennett taking...

After an Academy Awards ceremony that gave more than a nod to classic Hollywood, the Governors Ball at the Hollywood & Highland Center followed suit: James Earl Jones took the rotating center stage to introduce "Frank Sinatra's favorite singer," and sure enough, there was Tony Bennett taking... (Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times)

Sandra Bullock, 2010's lead actress Oscar winner for "The Blind Side," congratulates Meryl Streep on her win for "The Iron Lady" outside the Governors Ball. The parties were the place to be, with stars flocking to the academy's ball plus the Vanity Fair soiree and Elton John's gala.

Sandra Bullock, 2010's lead actress Oscar winner for "The Blind Side," congratulates Meryl Streep on her win for "The Iron Lady" outside the Governors Ball. The parties were the place to be, with stars flocking to the academy's ball plus the Vanity Fair soiree and Elton John's gala. (Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times)

A crowd watches from the sidewalk in Lakewood as a 340-ton boulder passes on its journey to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The rock was toted from a Riverside County quarry by a 176-wheel transport truck nearly as wide as three freeway lanes, at speeds so slow that some escorts were on...

A crowd watches from the sidewalk in Lakewood as a 340-ton boulder passes on its journey to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The rock was toted from a Riverside County quarry by a 176-wheel transport truck nearly as wide as three freeway lanes, at speeds so slow that some escorts were on... (Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times)